Press Release

Denver, CO, October 16, 2019 --(PR.com)-- Snyder Building Construction is excited to announce the completion of Re:Vision’s $1.3M tenant improvement project, a renovation effort that joined two separate buildings into one cohesive 6,300 square-foot space. Partially funded by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority along with foundations and private donors, the updated building, RISE (Resilient, Inclusive, Sustainable Economy) Westwood, will bring the organization’s vision to life by adding a home for programming, flexible arts and culture center and event venue, a commercial commissary kitchen, mission-aligned retail space, and improved classroom amenities.

“The finished building is expansive and dynamic,” said David Torres, project manager at Snyder Building Construction. “We’re honored to have been part of an incredible team in transforming this space and are excited to see its impact within the community.”

Designed by Shopworks Architecture in Denver, the reopened building culminates years of growth and serves as an important milestone for Re:Vision’s work of cultivating a thriving, resilient community. Located at 3738 Morrison Road in Denver, RISE Westwood has worked for years to preserve and strengthen the culture and assets of the Westwood neighborhood.

“As a firm, Shopworks is committed to building community and collaborating with organizations across Denver who provide opportunities for individuals to thrive,” said Jenna Nelson, project architect at Shopworks. “We value our partnerships with Re:Vision and Snyder Building Construction to transform Re:Vision’s building into a dynamic space that can better serve their needs and the needs of their neighbors.”

Re:Vision’s goal of organizing the community to create Westwood Food Co-Op and RISE Westwood was just the beginning. The newly updated space will play host to several Denver community events such as upcoming Grantmakers in the Arts Conference, the annual Westwood Chile Fest, and Buen Provecho, a fundraiser dinner with talented local chefs celebrating Latin cuisine. The building will serve as the future home of Cultura Craft Chocolate’s first retail location.

"It has been incredible to watch the transformation of RISE Westwood, from an actual junkyard to a beautiful space, dedicated to community use,” said JoAnna Cintrón, executive director of Re:Vision. “The space will bring community members together around food, cultural expression, art, training opportunities and more. We are excited to bring the space to life with our partners and community in the coming months."

The extensive tenant improvement construction created a new main entry and brought two existing structures into one cohesive space. The new event venue received a complete barrel roof replacement showing off exposed bow trusses. Opening up the space created leasable square footage on the south side of the building.

About Re:Vision:Over the past decade, Re:Vision has helped transform one of Denver’s most economically marginalized neighborhoods, Westwood, into a thriving, resilient community. Using an asset-based approach to solving health and poverty issues, Re:Vision has established nearly 2,000 vegetable gardens with low-income families, collectively producing more than 500,000 pounds of fresh produce and saving those families over $1 million in grocery bills. Re:Vision has developed an innovative community Promotora model, investing over $1.2M in training and employing Promotoras to conduct over 18,000 house visits. Re:Vision is pioneering community wealth building models as well. In 2014, Re:Vision established one of the first grocery stores owned by a low-income community, called the Westwood Food Cooperative. Re:Vision currently completed its latest phase in a multi-phase $10M+ revitalization project called RISE Westwood, a community-hub for a Resilient, Inclusive and Sustainable Economy (RISE), empowering a new wave of entrepreneurs.

About Shopworks Architecture:Shopworks Architecture was formed in 2012 by Chad Holtzinger, AIA, LEED AP. The primary focus of the firm is urban infill development with a particular interest in affordable housing, transit oriented, mixed use, and community driven projects. Whether it is affordable housing, permanent supportive housing, schools, trauma informed clinics, non-profit offices, or the revitalization of an existing commercial space or apartment building, Shopworks is committed to designing environments that strengthen communities and provide new opportunities, joy, and health.

About Snyder Building Construction:Snyder Building Construction is a commercial general contractor providing tenant improvement, commercial ground-up, and restaurant/retail construction in Denver and Colorado’s Front Range. Snyder Building Construction focuses on accountable, high-quality, and trustworthy service projects <$10M. Long-lasting relationships and a team-oriented approach allow us to be honest, fair, and transparent in every facet of the construction process. Expect meticulously planned details and craftsman-like installation paired with a small team dedicated to quality care and attention.